1. EPHESIANS Chapter 01 ABIDING - CHOSEN AND SEALED I.INTRODUCTION A.History!

2. 1. Written 61 AD by Apostle Paul. 2. Written to churches in Asia Minor. a) Some manuscripts omit “at Ephesus”. b) To be read to all the churches! B.Ephesus

3. 1. Known as a political, and religious center! a) Temple of Diana was located in Ephesus. 2. Christianity first came during Paul’s 2nd journey. a) Acts 19:10 b) After Paul, Timothy then the Apostle John!

4. C.Theme = “God’s purposes for the Church” 1. Paul discusses: a) Predestination b) Christ Head of the Church c) The Church as temple of God, d) Mystery of Jesus

5. e) Spiritual gifts f) Church = bride of Christ! II.EPHESIANS 1:1-2 A.Paul apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. 1. What are you?

6. 2. “Are you doing what the Lord wants with your life?” 3. “Grace” = getting what we don’t deserve! 4. Grace and peace = “shalom”. a) Cannot have peace without Grace of God! III.EPHESIANS 1:3-6

7. A.“Blessed be” also interpreted “praise be”. 1. Paul “describing” the Lord. 2. Jesus has “blessed us” = “caused us to prosper!” a) Nothing held back. b) We are heirs to the kingdom!

8. 3. We have been chosen!! a) Chosen = “to pick one out of many” (1) 2Peter 3:9 (2) John 3:16 (3) Not God’s will for any to miss heaven! (4) We have “chosen” Him!

9. b) Predestined = “decided beforehand” (1) The Lord let people be free to “chose”!! (a) His delight to adopt them! c) Accepted = “charming lovely, and agreeable”. (1) All because of His love!

10. IV.EPHESIANS 1:7-12 A. redemption = “liberation by payment of a ransom”. 1. Ransom His blood = His life for ours! a) Hebrews 9:22 b) “Ransom note” required unmarked bills!

11. (1) Perfect blood of Christ only way to fulfill the demand! 2. Paul reminds us again of God’s abounding grace. 3. Great mystery revealed to us through Jesus! a) All of God’s riches rolled up into the Savior!

12. (1) We will inherit all those good things!! V.EPHESIANS 1:13-14 A. “Sealed” carries eastern tradition, King’s signet ring. 1. Carried power of the King Himself!!

13. 2. Holy Spirit carries same weight as King of Kings!! a) He speaks for the King! 3. The Holy Spirit, like the security deposit! VI.EPHESIANS 1:15-16 A.What Paul prays for.

14. VII.EPHESIANS 1:17-21 A.Knowledge and wisdom two different things! 1. Need “reveal” to us, a greater knowledge of Himself! 2. “Hope of His calling” = “confident expectation”!

15. 3. Jesus’ “right-hand” position = place of authority! a) “It is finished”. b) Authority extends, above all “angelic rule! VIII.CONCLUSION A.EPHESIANS 1:22-23

16. 1. Notice the word “all”? a) That’s inclusive!!